#+SETUPFILE: ../../../template/level-2.org
#+TITLE: Deepspace Horror Sim
#+Description: A group of combat veterans decide to play a deep space rescue mission in immersive reality.


* Introduction

The entire mission can be played stand alone. It can also be played as
an in-universe for the in-universe game.

The crew of the DCS Tanto, a salvage ship with a mixed crew of former
military personnel, miners, and medics, has been struggling
financially. They've taken on passengers to cover expenses and are now
considering riskier jobs. On this night, the Tanto comes across a
derelict ship drifting in deep space. The session begins with the crew
preparing to investigate the ship, hoping to salvage valuable
materials or find passengers who might pay for rescue.


* Prompt for Players

In the early 2180s, the space salvage vessel the DCS Tanto has come on
rough times. Staffed by a crew of mostly former military, miners, and
medics, they have patrolled a route from Wolf 359 and Alpha Centauri,
primarily assisting those in need for a price and salvaging space
wrecks. But recently they have taken on passengers to pay the bills.

The DCS Tanto is co-owned by the crew, but the vessel has a lien on
the title. The price of fuel isn't cheap and the crew has recently
been discussing more risky jobs or applying for and bidding on salvage
rights for additional routes.

On this particular "night" the crew happens upon what appears to be a
vessel drifting in the darkness. The crew is excited to find what
might be some valuable salvage.


* Session Overview

** Key Elements

*** The Drifting Vessel
An unknown spaceship, heavily damaged, with no apparent signs of
life. Its name, "USS Bosco," is faintly visible on the hull. The
ship's distress beacon is weak, almost completely out of power.

*** Crew and Passengers
Each player character (PC) is a member of the Tanto’s crew or one of
the new passengers. The crew must work together despite their
differences to survive.

*** Mysterious Threat
The Bosco is infested with a deadly threat, either alien creatures
or rogue androids, unknown to the crew when they first board.

*** Limited Resources
The Tanto's crew has limited weapons, tools, and medical
supplies. They need to manage these carefully.

*** Time Pressure
The Tanto's engines have developed a critical malfunction during their
initial approach to the Bosco. They have limited time to investigate
and return before the ship's systems fail.


* Session Structure

** Act 1: The Approach

*** Scene 1: Briefing and Boarding

**** Objective
Set the stage, introduce the crew, and build tension.

**** Description
The session begins with the crew gathered in the Tanto's galley,
discussing the Bosco. The captain or senior officer explains the
situation: a derelict vessel means potential salvage. The crew is
divided into two teams: a boarding team and a support team staying on
the Tanto.

**** Roleplay Opportunity
Let the players introduce their characters, express their thoughts on
the mission, and establish relationships. This is also a chance for
players to outline their backgrounds, giving you potential hooks for
later.

**** Challenges
Light mechanical checks for spacewalking, communication setup, or
piloting the shuttle to board the Bosco.

*** Scene 2: Initial Exploration

**** Objective
Set the eerie tone and introduce the mystery.

**** Description
The boarding team lands on the Bosco. They find themselves in a
dark, cold corridor. Power is limited, and only emergency lights
flicker occasionally.

**** Details to Discover
Strange scratches on the walls, flickering lights, broken doors, and
signs of struggle. No bodies are found, but a distant noise or flicker
of movement could suggest otherwise.

**** First Clue
A log terminal still operational, revealing the ship was transporting
scientific specimens or a high-profile prisoner who escaped
containment.

** Act 2: Uncovering the Threat

*** Scene 1: The Bridge and Logs

**** Objective
Build suspense and provide background.

**** Description
The team reaches the bridge. It’s abandoned, with more signs of
struggle. Power is low, but they can access some of the captain’s
logs.

**** Clue Drop
The logs mention strange behavior among the crew, paranoia, and
eventually, violent incidents. There are mentions of a “cargo” in the
lower decks.

**** Event
The ship suddenly shifts slightly, and distant banging sounds echo
through the ship. Perhaps an automatic system has come back online, or
something is moving.

**** Challenge
Restore partial power to access more areas or stabilize the ship. Use
mechanical or technical skills to succeed.

*** Scene 2: The Discovery

**** Objective
Reveal the main threat.

**** Description
As they explore, they find a storage bay with broken containers, some
biological samples scattered, and clear signs of alien infestation
(e.g., strange eggs, acidic burns on the floor). Alternatively, it
could be malfunctioning androids attacking anything that moves.

**** Threat Reveal
The aliens (or androids) attack! Quick decisions and combat ensue. The
crew must use their limited weapons and wits to survive.

**** Event
The crew realizes they have limited time to escape as the ship’s
reactor starts to show signs of overloading, causing more power
fluctuations and setting a ticking clock for their escape.

** Act 3: Escape and Survival

*** Scene 1: Race Against Time

**** Objective
Increase the stakes with a timed challenge.

**** Description
The team needs to reach the Tanto and escape. They face obstacles like
sealed doors, flooding compartments, or more attacks. Back on the
Tanto, systems are failing, and the crew must repair them quickly to
avoid being stranded.

**** Challenge
Overcome environmental hazards and threats while keeping an eye on the
countdown timer (physical or verbal, depending on your style).

** Scene 2: Final Confrontation

**** Objective
Climactic battle or tension-filled escape.

**** Description
Just as they think they’re safe, a final threat emerges — either a
larger alien or a heavily armed rogue android. The crew must use
everything they’ve learned and all their remaining resources to defeat
it or escape.

**** Options for Climax
Fight the creature/robot, escape through a dangerous route, or make a
moral decision (e.g., leave someone behind or vent an area of the
ship).

** Conclusion: Aftermath

*** Debrief and Reflection:

**** Objective
Wrap up the story, let characters reflect on the events, and set up
potential future adventures.

**** Description
The crew either escapes the Bosco, leaving it drifting in space or
narrowly avoids its explosion. Back on the Tanto, they reflect on what
happened. Did they retrieve any valuable data or salvage? What will
they tell others about this incident? Did any character have a
significant change in outlook or motivation?


* Character Archetypes

** The Captain
The leader with a tough exterior, but genuinely cares for the crew.

** The Ex-Military Mercenary
Tough, no-nonsense, ready to fight, but perhaps dealing with trauma.

** The Technician
Skilled with machinery, prefers fixing things over fighting, possibly
with a secret.

** The Medic
Focused on keeping everyone alive, struggling with the ethics of their
actions.

** The Navigator
Expert in star charts and piloting, conflicted between
self-preservation and loyalty.

** The Mysterious Passenger
Knows more about the Bosco or its cargo than they initially reveal,
has their own agenda.


* Tips for Running the Session

By following this structure, you'll create a tense, suspenseful
one-shot RPG session that emphasizes story and character over
mechanics, perfect for a deepspace horror. Enjoy the game!

** Pacing
Keep the tension high with a mix of quiet, suspenseful moments and
sudden, intense action. Use environmental sounds and descriptions to
maintain an eerie atmosphere.

** Resource Management
Limited resources should push the players to make tough
choices. Decide when to use a scarce medkit or save ammunition.

** Player Agency
Allow players to decide how to handle challenges, whether through
stealth, combat, or diplomacy. Their choices should significantly
impact the outcome.

** Atmosphere
Use dark lighting, ambient music, or sound effects (if playing in
person) to enhance immersion. Describe the cold, the darkness, and the
silence of space to build dread.

** Keep It Focused
Avoid getting too bogged down in detailed rules. Focus on narrative
and character interactions to keep the game moving.

** Foreshadowing
Drop hints early about the nature of the threat. Use subtle clues to
build tension and keep players guessing.



* Footnotes
  :PROPERTIES:
  :CUSTOM_ID: footnotes
  :CLASS: unnumbered
  :END:

[fn:AlphaCentauri] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpha_Centauri
[fn:Wolf359] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolf_359
